Removing sticker gunk from plastic is extremely easy with the right materials. Many of the most effective cleaning methods utilize everyday household products like olive oil, rubbing alcohol, and even peanut butter. You’ll eliminate the sticky remains with just a few minutes and a little elbow grease.
Many methods for removing sticker residue from plastic can be used for removing it from other surfaces like glass, tile, metal, finished wood, and more. Try one of these solutions and you’ll have clean plastic in no time.
Before You Begin
Various materials will get pesky sticker residue off of plastic and other surfaces. Be sure to first test your chosen method in an inconspicuous area to prevent damage or discoloration in visible areas. Materials like olive oil can stain some absorbent plastics, and the heat from a hair dryer could alter the shape of your item, depending on how thin the plastic is.
How to Remove Sticker Residue With a Hair Dryer
If you have a hair dryer and haven’t already tried to pry the sticker off your plastic item, the heat from this tool may loosen the adhesive.
Heat the Residue
Blow hot air from a hair dryer at the sticker for up to 30 seconds.
Scrape Away the Residue
Pull away the sticker with your fingernails or a plastic scraping tool (such as a gift card).
Repeat
Repeat the process, if needed.
How to Remove Sticker Residue With Hot, Soapy Water
One of the simplest ways to rid plastic products of sticker residue is with a little soap and water.
Mix Water and Dishwashing Liquid
Add a few drops of dishwashing liquid to a large bowl or kitchen sink and fill with warm or hot water.
Dishwashing liquid soap pumped into white bowl of soapy water
Submerge the Plastic in the Soapy Water
If possible, submerge the plastic object in soapy water and let it sit for 15 minutes until the sticker softens and the residue begins to lift.
Plastic container with sticker placed in bowl with soapy water
Remove Remaining Residue
Remove the item and use a toothbrush, kitchen scrubber, plastic scraper, or something similar to remove the remaining gunk.
Old toothbrush scraping off sticker residue form bottom of plastic container
How to Remove Sticker Residue With Olive Oil
If you opt for this method, test it in an inconspicuous area first since some plastics may absorb the oil and stain.
Remove the Residue
Start by removing as much of the sticker as you can with your fingers.
Small sticker being removed by hand from small glass container
Scrub With Olive Oil
Dab a wash rag or paper towel in olive oil.
Scrub away.
Rag covered with olive oil scrubbing sticker on glass container
Alternate With Soapy Water
You may need to let the oil sit on the residue for a few minutes and alternate between soapy water and oil to get rid of all the gunk,
Glass container dipped in white bowl with soapy water to remove sticker residue
How to Remove Sticker Residue With White Vinegar
Vinegar is a standard cleaning solution, so it’s no wonder people use it to remove stickers from plastic. If you’d like to use white vinegar to clean off sticky remains, the steps will be similar to olive oil.
Remove the Residue
Start by taking off as much of the sticker as you can with your fingernails.
Soak the Area
Soak a paper towel in vinegar and press it into the sticker goo.
Let it sit for several minutes before returning to scrape away the residue.
Wipe Clean
Wipe the area clean with a damp cloth to finish.
How to Remove Sticker Residue With Rubbing Alcohol or Vodka
You can use rubbing alcohol or vodka to remove sticker remains on most surfaces, including wood, glass, and plastic. Vodka is a good substitute for rubbing alcohol in a pinch, although it is much pricier.
Soak the Residue
After you’ve scratched away as much of the sticker as possible, lay a paper towel drenched in rubbing alcohol over the leftover residue.
Let It Sit
Let the rubbing alcohol sit for five minutes or longer to let the liquid do its magic.
Wipe Away
Once the adhesive has softened, wipe away the remnants with your soaked paper towel and clean it with a damp cloth.
How to Remove Sticker Residue With a Plastic Scraper
Plastic scrapers are tools specifically made for removing sticky residue from surfaces. If you don’t have one handy, try using the edge of a credit card, plastic knife, or other wedge-like plastic utensil.
Scrape at the Sticky Spot
Use a plastic scraper, credit card, or plastic knife by laying the edge or blade of your scraper as close to the surface as possible. Keep scraping until the sticky residue comes off.
Wipe Away With a Soapy Cleaning Cloth
Wipe the spot clean with a soapy rag. This step is beneficial if a sticky spot persists.
How to Remove Sticker Residue With Peanut Butter
This is perhaps the most fun way to rid your plastic product of sticker residue. The oils from peanut butter can help break down the adhesive, so you can safely remove the residue without damaging your plastic goods.
Spread Peanut Butter on the Residue
Slather some peanut butter over the sticker leftovers.
Peanut butter spread across sticker with wooden spoon on bottom of gray tray
Allow It to Absorb and Wipe
Leave it to absorb for five minutes.
Wipe away the peanut butter with a dry paper towel.
Peanut butter spread across sticker on bottom of gray tray
Wipe Away With a Soapy Washcloth
Use soapy water and a washcloth to remove the oils and any sticky remains.
Clean cloth and soapy water removing peanut butter and residue from bottom of gray tray
How to Remove Sticker Residue With WD-40
WD-40 is a lubricant, solvent, and cleaner that helps dissolve adhesives on sticky surfaces.
Spray on WD-40
Using WD-40, spray the surface of the sticky residue, saturating the spot.
Allow it to sit for three minutes.
WD-40 lubricant sprayed on old cloth and rubbed on sticker
Scrape and Wipe Away Residue
Rub or scratch away the residue after time has elapsed.
Wipe the spot dry with a clean cloth or paper towel.
Removing as much of the sticker as possible
Clean Off the WD-40
Use soapy water and a cleaning cloth to remove the WD-40 and any persistent adhesives.
Metal pot dried and buffed with clean cloth
How to Remove Sticker Residue With Goo Gone
Goo Gone is a strong citrus-based cleaner that is safe to use to lift tape or sticky residue on many surfaces. However, never use Goo Gone on silk, leather, suede, rubber, faux stainless steel, drywall, unfinished wood, or unsealed stone.
Apply Goo Gone to the Sticky Spot
Read and follow the package instructions first.
Spray or apply to the sticky spot.
Leave it on for one to three minutes.
Soaking the sticker with oil
Wipe Away
Using a clean cloth, wipe away the Goo Gone and sticker residue.
If it leaves behind an oily Goo Gone spot, use a soapy cleaning cloth to wipe it away.